Mediterranean Chicken Skewers with Mezze Sides Recipe
Delicious and vibrant Mediterranean Chicken Skewers served with a variety of mezze sides including hummus, tzatziki, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. This recipe offers a healthy, flavorful, and interactive meal perfect for entertaining or a family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes (excluding marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For the Mezze Sides:
- 1 cup hummus
- ½ cup tzatziki sauce
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- ½ cup marinated artichoke hearts
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or dill
For Serving:
- Warm pita bread or flatbreads
- Optional: lemon wedges
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss well to coat evenly. Cover and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers, arranging them evenly. Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill the chicken skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Arrange the Mezze Sides: On a large platter or wooden board, artistically arrange hummus, tzatziki, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or dill over the dips and vegetables for a fresh, fragrant finish.
- Serve: Place the cooked chicken skewers on or alongside the mezze platter. Serve immediately with warm pita bread or flatbreads, and provide optional lemon wedges for squeezing over the chicken to add brightness.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Marinating the chicken for longer (up to 8 hours) enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Feel free to customize the mezze sides with your favorite Mediterranean dips and vegetables.
- This recipe is perfect for outdoor grilling, but you can also use a broiler or grill pan indoors.
- Serve with a side salad or grilled vegetables for a more complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (including chicken skewers and mezze sides)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken skewers, mezze platter, grilled chicken, healthy Mediterranean recipe, easy chicken skewers, hummus, tzatziki, feta, pita bread, summer grilling